Oil and gas are currently our main sources of energy, and act as feedstocks for the plastics and chemicals industry. Biomass, including cheap low-grade sources such as domestic waste provides an alternative feedstock for both energy and materials, and can be shown to offer considerable green house gas benefits.
The bio-refinery concept is one of an integrated facility using biomass as a feedstock for conversion into a range of high value products - such as bioethanol and bio-based chemical feedstocks, whilst also generating heat and power. The approach is similar to that of petroleum refineries, though biorefineries use a wider range of processes.
Consideration is being made on how best to encourage and support the technological innovation needed to make second generation biofuels and bio-refineries commercially viable in the UK.
DECC sponsor the National Non–Food Crops Centre, who work closely with industry on potential technology deployment.